When it comes to modeling, let's just say I should stick to being a news reporter. But when it comes to modeling running clothes, I really ought to just be wearing them while running. Nevertheless, against my better judgement, I joined a bunch of friends in Elmhurst to walk up and down a 'catwalk' wearing some of the newest fall running clothes.

The runway was in a studio/gym called Fitt-RX, a couple doors down from Fleet Feet sports in downtown Elmhurst. The 'runway' was marked off by weights placed on the floor. Chairs a couple rows deep were on either side.

It was an amazing transformation of the space. And this first attempt at a show like this in Elmhurst was a great success. The parking lot outside served as a nice gathering place with tables and a bar to enjoy a beautiful fall night. And when everyone moved inside, The fashion show was off and running, with about a dozen models, including notable Elmhurst residents and athletes. Some of them put on a show while modeling the running tops, shorts and tights. I did not attempt to carry anyone on my shoulders!

I did get in a ten yard run though!

The best part of the night was that it benefitted a great grassroots charity in Elmhurst called the No-Frills half run. Two women started it several years ago to try to raise money for a family in need. Every year it has grown tremendously, and this year they were able to make a large contribution to my friend Marshall Bell, who suffers from Muscular Dystrophy. It helped him to be able to get a new motorized wheelchair.

For next year's race, they are taking nominations for another family to help. And they already have a nice little advance amount in the bank thanks to the Fashion Show.

It was a busy week in the Elmhurst running community. Earlier in the week the Elmhurst Running Club hosted an evening with Bank of American Chicago Marathon race director Carey Pinkowski.

When I think of Fall, I think of the marathon. And Chicago's big race is only two weeks away. That made it even more impressive that Carey took the time to come speak to the group about the race. The fact that he lives in Elmhurst made it a little easier for him, but this is obviously a pretty busy time of year for him!

Carey offered advice on last minute tapering for the big race, as well as some insight about what goes into planning for 40,000 runners traveling 26.2 miles through the streets of Chicago. It's a full-time, year-round job for a staff of about 30 people.

There was much more, and as the marathon approaches there will be many more opportunities to hear from the man who has a part of Columbus Drive, at the start of the marathon course, named for him.

I've known Carey for more than two decades, and he is still as enthusiastic about making Chicago the best marathon possible as he was when he started. He has guided the marathon through tremendous growth, along with growing pains, over the years. He is a Chicago treasure, and we are fortunate to have him. Go hear him speak if you get a chance.

I knew it was a mistake. But what was I supposed to tell my six year old daughter when she said she wanted to run the 5k with her sisters and Dad? So I said sure, thinking maybe she was old enough to run a good portion of it. No way to find out but to let her try right?

Well, it turns out her limit is about a half mile. That's about how far we got before Jayda begged me to carry her.

So that was the end of my plan to run the race with my other daughter who is 9 years old. I was planning to help pace and encourage her to run well. But as the parent, you always have to turn your attention to the one who needs the most help. And on this day, that was Jayda. So when she'd had enough, I watched her sisters run off ahead, while I hoisted Jayda on my shoulders and tried to figure out the best way to get back to the finish line area.

It was the first time I'd pinned a number on in quite a while, since surgery to address an irregular heart beat. So I wasn't planning on pushing it too hard in the first place. But I couldn't help but remember running this same race last year and coming away with a trophy for second male finisher.

The 'Talkie Trot' in Elmhurst is a small 5k that raises big money for the Center for speech and language disorders. Dupage county Commissioner Pete Dicianni began it a number of years ago in honor of his daughter Brianna.

As part of the event, Dicianni also announced he is running for Congress in the 8th district, for the seat currently held by Tammy Duckworth. The Jesse White tumblers also entertained the runners before the starting gun went off. There was a lot going on. It was a bit of a carnival atmosphere, with activities for children as well.

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So, the fact that I was unable to run the race really made no difference to anyone but me. There were plenty of runners and walkers out to enjoy a beautiful morning.

And I enjoyed it also. Although I didn't get to run much, I did get back in time to see my other three daughters finish the race together. They were happy and excited. And I was filled with pride.

I have immense respect for anyone who attempts to run longer than a marathon distance. Ultra-marathons are just plain too long for me to even think about. So when Dr. Josh Hedman told me he plans to do a hundred miler next month, I thought he was a little crazy.

But then he explained that he stops to test his blood glucose level every hour or so while he runs, because he's diabetic. I then realized I was right. He is crazy.

Josh has been running for many years, though he didn't run track or cross country in high school or college. He just loves to run. But in his mid-20's he discovered he had a life-altering condition: Type One diabetes. It's pretty unusual to develop Type One as a young adult. It's much more common for children to learn at an early age. And on some level, that helps many accept it and learn to live with it.

My daughter, Tessa, discovered she was diabetic a year ago at age 8. From what I'm told, that is more typical. I won't go into all the details about it, but basically, diabetes means your body can no longer process carbohydrates. So you have to take insulin to help your body with that important task. Without insulin (or with too much) diabetics would not survive.

The tricky part for athletes, especially endurance athletes, is that carbs are an important source of energy. You need them. But you also need to take the right amount of insulin to help your body process them. And that is very difficult to do when you are burning so many of them while running an endurance event.

Josh is very active with the American Diabetes Association, and is running his first hundred mile ultra in October to help call more attention to diabetes. He's run ultra marathons, and triathlons before, but never done a hundred miler before. He says he has no idea what to expect. I'm thinking I would expect pain, hunger, sleeplessness and exhilaration when I saw the finish line!

But Josh can also expect to deal with diabetes issues along the way. He'll try to maintain a good blood glucose level throughout. Not too high, and not too low. Both are dangerous. I know this as the parent of a diabetic, who is worried about his daughter during recess or gym class, let alone a long race.

So best of luck to Josh. We'll be cheering for you in the Arkansas Traveller 100 miler in October.

And while we are on the topic of calling attention to medical conditions, there is a race this weekend that is close to my heart. The 'Talkie Trot' in Elmhurst is a 5k run/walk that takes place at the corner of York and South streets Sunday morning (9/13) at 9am. I've run it the last two years, and have been fortunate enough to place in the top five both years. So clearly it's a small race!

It is lots of fun for the family, whether you run or just come to cheer on the runners. I will be out there, running with my kids, so there will probably be no top 5 finish this year. But it will be a blast! http://talkietrot.com/#/home